Apparatus for packaging linear material

ABSTRACT

Apparatus in a glass filament forming process for winding glass strand into a package on a driven rotatable collector including: strand transfer means for moving the glass strand between the package formation zone on the collector and a temporary collection zone. The transfer means includes a movably mounted member having an open ended slot and a pair of diverging guide surfaces extending from the open end of the slot; and further includes means for moving the member at the beginning of package build along a path to move glass strand in the slot from the temporary winding zone to the package formation zone on the collector and means for moving the member during package build along a path effective to slot the strand and move the slotted strand out of the package formation zone.

United States Patent Symborski Dec. 9, 1975 APPARATUS FOR PACKAGINGLINEAR MATERIAL Primary Examiner-$tanley N. Gilreath Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Carl G. Staelin; John W. [75] Inventor. Alex P. Symborski, Newark,Ohio Overman; Ronald C Hudgem [73] Assignee: Owens-Corning FiberglasCorporation, TOldQO, [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 Apparatus in a glassfilament forming process for [21] Appl. No.2 421,362 winding glassstrand into a package on a driven rotatable collector including: strandtransfer means for Publlshed under the Tl'lal Voluntary Protest movingthe glass strand between the package forma- Program on January 1 1975 asdocument tion zone on the collector and a temporary collection B 4211362zone. The transfer means includes a movably mounted member having anopen ended slot and a pair of di- U-S- verging guide urfaces extendingfrom the pen end of Clthe lot; and further includes means for moving the[58] Field of Search 242/18 G, 18 R, 18 PW, member at the beginning fpackage build along a 242/43 path to move glass strand in the slot fromthe temporary winding zone to the package formation zone on [56]References C'ted the collector and means for moving the member dur-UNITED STATES PATENTS ing package build along a path effective to slotthe 3,090,570 5/1963 Cunningham et a] 242/13 G strand and move theslotted strand out of the package 3,109,602 11/1963 Smith 242/18 0formation Zone- 3,28l,224 10/1966 Lowe, Jr. 242 18 G 3,408,012 10/1968Smith et al 242?]8 G Clams 15 D'awmg F'gures US. Patent Dec.

9, 1975 Sheet 1 of 3 US, Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,924,817

- APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING LINEAR MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWinders are used throughout the textile industry to package lineartextile material into wound packages. And many of these winders formwound packages at high linear collection speeds. But considerableproduction time can be lost by manual operations often necessary inbeginning a packaging cycle and often necessary in doffing at the endingof a packaging cycle.

Handling of linear material at the beginning and ending of a packagingcycle is of special interest in a filament forming operation such as acontinuous glass filament forming operation to reduce time betweenpackaging cycles. Shortened time reduces thermal disruptions to thefilament forming process.

A variety of interim strand handling apparatus for package doffing hasbeen used. But prior apparatus has had its limitations in doffing. Andit has been suitable for use in starting a package.

Innovations have been needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improvedapparatus for moving elongated textile material between an interimcollection location and a package formation location on a drivenrotatable collector.

Another object of the invention is improved apparatus for moving anelongated bundle of textile filaments lengthwise of a driven rotatablecollet into and out of a package collection region along the lengththereof.

The above and other objects are attained by means including a movablymounted member having a slot open at one end and providing a pair ofspaced apart opposing guide surfaces diverging from the open end of theslot for facilitating movement of linear material into the slot; andfurther including means for moving the member at the beginning ofpackage build along a path effective to move linear material in the slotfrom a temporary winding zone into a package collection zone on a drivenrotatable collector and means for moving the member during package buildalong a path effective to place the linear material-in the slot throughthe guide space and effective to move such slotted material from thepackage formation zone.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention isdescribed in more detail with reference made to the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of apparatusembodying the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a continuousglass filament forming operation where a winder collects glass strand ona rotatably driven collector as a wound package. The winder includesstrand handling means for moving strand'into a package formation zone onthe collector at the beginning of package build and for removing thestrand from the package to a temporary collection zone at the end ofpackage build.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1. The section is taken along the lines 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back elevation view in section of the winder shown in FIGS.1 and 2. The section is taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of strand traversing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the strand oscillator member forming partof the strand traversing apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of controls used to keep the strand traversingapparatus in spaced apart relationship with a package during packageformation.

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of drive apparatus for moving the strandtraversing support of the winder shown in FIGS. l-3.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the strand handling and transferapparatus for the winder shown in FIGS. l-3. FIG. 9 shows a strandhold-off member in its retracted position; dashed lines indicate themember in its extended position.

FIG. 10 is a view in elevation showing the strand handling and transfermeans and actuating means for it.

FIG. 11 is a detailed section view taken substantially along the line1l-ll of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of one of the tapered guide spaces and slotof the strand hold-off member shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view showing the strand handling and transferapparatus in its retracted position.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view showing the strand han dling and transferapparatus in movement to its extended position.

FIG. 15 is an overall control diagram for the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method and apparatus of theinvention are particularly suitable in processes for forming filamentsfrom heat-softened mineral filament forming material, such as moltenglass. But the invention is generally useful in collection of bundles offilaments into wound packages.

FIGS. ll-3 show a winder used to simultaneously form two wound glassstrand packages spaced apart along the length of a single driven colletin a continuous glass filament forming operation. The winder includesmeans for mechanically handling the glass strands at the beginning andthe end of package formation. At the beginning of a packaging cycle thestrand handling and transfer means moves each of the strands from atemporary collection zone into engagement with a strand oscillator inits package formation zone. At the end of a packaging cycle the strandhandling and transfer means disengages each of the strands from itsstrand oscillator and moves or diverts each of the strands fromcollection on its package to a temporary collection zone.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a platinum alloy container or feeder 10 thatholds a body of molten glass. The feeder 10 can receive a continuoussupply of molten glass by several known ways. FOr example, a forehearthcan supply molten glass to the feeder 10 from a furnace heating batchmaterials to molten glass. Also, a melter associated with the feeder 10can supply molten glass by reducing glass marbles to heat-softenedcondition. At the ends of the feeder 10 are terminals 12 that connect toa source of electrical energy to heat the feeder 10 by conventionalresistance heating. Such heating keeps the molten glass in the feeder 10at proper fiberforming temperatures and viscosities. The feeder 10includes a bottom wall 14 with orifices or passageways for deliveringstreams 16 of molten glass. As shown depending orificed projections ortubular members 18 define the openings in the bottom wall 14.

The molten glass streams 16 are attenuated downwardly into individualcontinuous glass filaments 20.

The gathering shoes 22 and 24 below the feeder combine the continuousglass filaments into two bundles or strands 26 and 28 respectively.

Apparatus supplies both water and a liquid sizing or other protectivecoating materials to the filaments 20 before they are gathered intobundles. As shown nozzles 30 and 32 adjacent to the bottom wall 14direct water spray onto the continuous glass filaments 20 before theshoes 22 and 24 combine them into the strands 26 and 28.

A sizing applicator 36 supported within a housing 38 just above thegathering shoes applies a liquid sizing or other coating material to thespeeding continuous glass filaments 20. The applicator may be anysuitable type known to the art. But the applicator 36 is shown as anendless belt moved through liquid held in the housing 38. As thecontinuous glass filaments 20 speed in touching relationship across themoving surface of the belt applicator 36, some of the liquid on thesurface transfers to them.

A winder 40 simultaneously collects the strands 26 and 28 as woundpackages 42 and 44 respectively on a rotatably driven collet 50. Asshown the packages are wound on collectors shown as forming tubes 46 and48 telescoped over the rotatably driven spindle or collet 50. A drivewithin the winder 40 rotates the collet 50.

The winder 40 includes strand traversing apparatus that reciprocates thestrands 26 and 28 back and forth lengthwise of the collet 50 (packages42 and 44) to distribute each of the advancing strands on its packageduring package formation.

The strand traversing apparatus is more clearly shown in FIG. 4. And asillustrated the apparatus includes strand oscillator members 52 and 54held in spaced relation adjacent to the packages 42 and 44. Theseoscillator members are movable in a guide slot extending lengthwise in ahorizontal tubular cam support 58 projecting from the front panel 60 ofthe winder 40. Rotatably mounted within the hollow support housing 58are identical coaxially joined together cylindrical or barrel cams 62and 64 with circumferential surface cam grooves 66 and 68 respectively.Cam followers 72 and 74 connect the strand oscillator members 52 and 54respectively with the cam grooves.

When the earns 62 and 64 are rotated, they reciprocate the strandoscillator members 52 and 54 along the slot in the tubular support 58(lengthwise of the collet 50). The suppot 58 is shown to extend in adirection parallel to the collet 50: its longitudinal axis is shownresiding in the same horizontal plane as the axis of rotation of thecollet 50.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the oscillator members52 and 54 are generally triangular shaped and include slots 76 and'78respectively. And as discussed more fully hereinafter, each of theoscillator members automatically guides strand into its slot when thestrand is in the reciprocation path of the member. So, in a sense, theoscillator members are self threading.

Other strand oscillators might be used. For example, strand oscillatorslike those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,391,870 and 3,292,871 might beused. And a strand traversing arrangement like that shown in U.S. Pat.No. 3,367,587 might be used.

The winder 40 includes a drive arrangement comprising a motor/clutchassembly 80. The drive arrangement effects simultaneous rotation, at apredetermined speed ratio, of both the cams 62 and 64 and the collet 50.

The motor/clutch 80 includes a constant speed electric motor 82 thatdrives the rotor of an associated eddy-current clutch 84. The clutch hasan output shaft 86. Magnetic forces within the clutch transfer torquefrom the driven rotor to the output shaft 86. The assembly 80 shown is acommercially available assembly known as a Dynamatic, manufactured bythe Dynamatic Division of Eaton, Yale & Towne, Inc.

The motor/clutch 80 is a variable speed drive. In operation the speed ofthe motor 82 remains constant. But changes in flux density (magneticforces) within the eddy current clutch 84 vary the amount of rotationalenergy transferred from the motor 82 to the output shaft 86 of theclutch 84. The greater the flux density the larger is the percentage ofmotor output transferred to the shaft 86.

The driven shaft 86 rotates the collect 50 through a non-slipping belt90 that connects the output shaft 86 with a collet drive shaft 92 abovethe assembly 80. The rotating shaft 92 rotates the collet 50. The shaft92 is co-axial with the collet 50 and is rotatably held by a bearingmounting assembly 94.

Rotational energy from the collet drive shaft 92 rotates the cams 62 and64 through non-slipping belts 96 and 98. The belt 96 connects the shaft92 and a rotatably mounted idler shaft 99 of an idler assembly 100. Thebelt 98 connects the idler shaft 99 with a cam drive shaft 102 thatconnects to the rotatable cams 62 and 64. The drive shaft 102 isco-axial of the cams and is rotatably held by a bearing support assembly104 and the vertical end plate 106 of a movable carriage 108.

A solenoid actuated disc brake (see FIG. 3) including a disc 109 on theshaft 92 and clamp 110 stop the rotation of the collet 50 at the end ofpackage formation.

As the packages build on the rotating collet 50, the diameter of each ofthe packages increases. And for any given rotational collet speed anincrease in package diameter increases the speed of the circumferentialsurface of each of the packages. So the strand collection speed wouldincrease with increasing package diameter if there were no offsettingreduction in the rotational speed of the collet 50.

Accordingly, the winder 40 includes means for controlling the rotationalspeed of the collet 50 to offset increases in strand collection speedfrom increasing package size. Controls modify the magnetic flux in theeddy current clutch 84. The embodiment shown in FIGS. l-3 uses theEaton, Yale & Towne Adjusto- Spede Drive Control, for use with theDynamatic. The Adjusto-Spede Drive includes a ramp generator that can beset to reduce the angular collet speed so that linear strand collectionspeed is substantially constant throughout package formation.

The winder 40 includes means for sensing the rotational speed of thecollet 50 as an indication of the size of the packages 42 and 44 duringtheir build-up when the ramp generator is set to provide a constantlinear strand collection speed during package formation. And the winder40 includes means responsive to the sensed rotational speed for movingthe cam support 58 away from the collet 50 to maintain the strandoscillator members 52 and 54 in spaced relation next to their respectivepackages throughout package build.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the cam support housing58 is carried for a horizontal movement on the movable carriage 108.

As shown the carriage 108 includes a base 111 in addition to thevertical plate 106. The carriage 108 slides lengthwise on two horizontalparallel support rods, denoted by the reference numerals 112 and 114,that are stationarily mounted within the winder 40. These rods extendthrough passageways in the base 111; the passageways extend in adirection perpendicular to the axis of thecollet 50. So the carriage 108and cam housing 58 are movable along horizontal paths towards and awayfrom the collet 50 in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof. Thefront panel 60 of the winder 40 includes an elongated opening 116 thatpermits movement of the tubular support 58.

FIGS. 6 through 8 show controls for positioning the carriage 108throughout package build-up to keep a spaced apart relationship betweenthe packages 42 nad 44 and the strand oscillator members 52 and 54. Asshown in FIG. 6, a switch 1 18 can be manually or automatically closedto complete a control circuit when the collet 50 arrives at operatingspeed. A battery 120 supplies a constant positive DC voltage to apotentiometer 122. The output voltage from the potentiometer 122 isapplied to a summing junction J through a lead 124. A negative DCvoltage signal from a tachometer 125, which is arranged to sense therotational speed of the collet 50, is supplied to the summing junction Jthrough a lead 126. When the voltages applied to the summing junction Jare unbalanced, a grounded solenoid coil or electromagnet 128 isenergized through a lead 130, switch 118 and an amplifier 132. Theenergized solenoid coil 128 closes a normally open armature switch 134.The armature switch 134 is in a circuit supplying electrical energy to amotor 136. A suitable commercial electrical source supplied electricalenergy at leads L and L A diode. 138 blocks negative current flow(current flow to the summing junction J through the amplifier 132).

The energized motor 136 simultaneously drives the slider of thepotentiometer 122 and actuates a drive that moves the carriage 108.

When the voltage from the potentiometer 122 and the tachometer 125 arebalanced, there is no electrical output signal from the summing junctionJ; hence, the armature switch 134, which is normally open, remains open.As the voltage from the tachometer 125 decreases (because of thedecreasing rotational output speed of the clutch 84), the solenoid coil128 becomes energized from the voltage applied at the junction J fromthe potentiometer 122. The coil 128 closes the armature switch 134. Andthe motor 136 effects movement of the slider of the potentiometer 122 toreduce its output voltage until the voltages applied at junction J arebalanced. The solenoid coil 128 becomes de-energized and the armatureswitch opens; the motor 136 becomes de-energized.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show more of the strand traverse position controlapparatus in a control box 140 mounted on the base 110 of the carriage108. At the top of the control box 140 is the electric motor 136 with asheave 142 on its output shaft 144. Mounted below the motor 136 in thecontrol box 140 is the potentiometer 122 with a sheave 146 on its slidercontrol shaft 148. At the bot- 6 tom region of the control box is acarriage drive including a rotatably mounted drive screw 150 in athreaded passageway 152 in the base 110. An unthreaded portion 154 ofthe drive screw 150 carries sheaves 156 and 158.

The energized motor 136 rotates the drive screw 150 and moves the sliderof the potentiometer 122. A belt 160 riding in sheaves 142 and 156connects the motor output shaft 144 with the drive screw 150. And a belt162 riding in sheaves 146 and. 158 connects the drive screw 150 with theslider control shaft 148.

When the motor 136 is energized, it rotates both the slider controlshaft 148 and the drive screw 150. Rotation of the drive screw 150 movesthe carriage 108 away from the collet 50 until the potentiometer voltagebalances the voltages applied at junction J. The coil 128 then becomesde-energized; the armature switch 134 opens to de-energize the motor136.

In practice the motor 136 is a slow rpm motor such as a SLO-SYN motormade by the Superior Electric Company. I

Because the collet speed at the beginning of package collection isknown, an operator can adjust a trim potentiometer 164 (see FIG. 6) tobring the voltage from the potentiometer 122 into balance with the knownbeginning voltage'from the tachometer 125 for a selected position of thecam support 58. So the operator moves the cam (carriage 108) to positionthe guides 52 and 58 at the beginning of package build. Such movementeffects movement of the slider of the potentiometer 122. The operatorthen adjusts the trim potentiometer 164 for the selected position of theoscillator members 52 and 54 to provide a selected voltage from thepotentiometer.

The idler assembly 100 permits movement of the carriage 108 withoutparting the drive belt 96 and drive belt 98. As shown the idler assembly100 includes the rotatable idler shaft 99, bearing box 170, position arm172, support member 174 and support bracket 176.

Support member 174 and the bracket 176 hold the bearing box and shaft 99above the carriage 108. The bearing box 170 is movable above the axis ofthe support member 174 by swing legs 177 and 178.

The position arm 172 connects the shaft 99 and cam drive shaft 102 tokeep these shafts at a constant speed distance from the belt 98. The arm172 pushes (swings) the shaft 99 and its gear box upwardly around theaxis of the shaft support member 174 as the carriage 108 moves towardsthe collet 50. The reverse is true as the carriage 108 moves away fromthe collet 50.

The swinging movement of the assembly 100 keeps both the belts 96 and 98in driving relationship on their respective sheaves.

The winder 40 includes the earlier mentioned strand handling andtransfer means for keeping positive control of each of the strands atthe beginning and ending of a packaging cycle. Such means is used by anoperator at the beginning of package formation to move each of thestrands from a temporary collection zone to a location on the colletwhere the individual strands can be engaged by strand oscillaatormembers to begin package formation; upon completion of the packages thestrand handling means disengages each of the strands from its strandoscillator member and moves or diverts each of the strands to atemporary collection location.

As shown the handling means includes: a movably mounted slotted hold-offmember for individually engaging the strands in a slot as it travels toits package and means for moving the hold-off member with the slottedstrands along a path effective to move each of .the strands between atemporary strand collection location and its strand collection regionalong the collet50.

FIG. 9 more clearly shows a preferred embodiment of an elongated slottedhold-off member, denoted by the reference numeral 190. As illustrated,the elongated member 190 has a front edge or side 192 and a rearwardedge or side 194. The front edge 192 includes: two identical slots, 196and 198, spaced apart along the length of the member 190 and twoidentical open ended tapered guide spaces 200 and 202, eachcommunicating at its smaller end with one of the slots. Each of thetapered spaces is defined by a pair of opposing guide surfaces that areinclined with respect to each other. As shown, straight guide surfaces204 and 206 converge to the open end of the slot 196 to define thetapered guide space 200 and straight guide surfaces 208 and 210 convergeto the open end of the slot 198 to define the tapered guide space 202.Each of these pairs of opposing surfaces diverge from the mouth of theirrespective slots to a mouth or entrance of is own.

The degree of taper for the guide spaces is of interest to facilitateplacement of the strands in their respective slots. As shown each of thesurfaces defining each of the guide spaces extend at the same angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the member. Angle B shown in FIG. 9is representative of these angles. In practice an angle B for each ofthe surfaces of from about 30 to 45 degrees has given good results. Butangles less than 20 degrees are generally not desirable; the amount ofslope or incline must be sufficient to provide a-guiding relationship tothe strands to facilitate their placement in their individual slots.

The member 190 should be made of a material that has a low abrasion withglass filaments. Preferably the member 190 is made of phenolic resinreinforced with fabric or fibrous material commercially known asMicarta.

The member 190 is movably mounted on the winder 40. As shown a pivotallymounted support 220 carries the member 190 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and Thesupport 220 includes a vertical member 222 and a horizontal member 224fixed at the lower end of the vertical mem ber 222. The horizontalmember 224 (on which the member 190 is fixed) extends away from thefront plate 60 in a direction parallel to the collet 50. The verticalmember 222 is mounted at its upper region-on the piston rod 226 of anair motor 228. The piston rod 226 is movable about and along its axis.So the support 220 (member 190) is mounted for movement along and aboutthe axis of the rod 226 (denoted by the reference letter A in FIGS. 1and 2).

FIGS. 10 and 11 more clearly show the air motor and support for themember 190. Secured to the front plate 60 is a bracket 230 that supportsthe air motor 228. The air motor includes a cylinder 232 in which isslidably disposed at a piston 234 secured to the piston rod 226. Thecylinder 232 is provided with heads 236 and 238 to which are connectedsupply tubes 240 and 242 respectively. These tubes convey fluid underpressure, such as compressed air, to and away from the cylinder 232 forreciprocating the piston 234 within the cylinder. A solenoid actuatedvalve 244 controls supply of the compressed fluid to the cylinder 232through the tubes 240 and 242.

A rod portion 246 of the piston rod 226 extends away from the cylinder232 (beyond the cylinder head 236) in left-hand direction as viewed inFIG. 10.

Secured to the head 236 is an'exterision member 250 that is ofsemicircular cross-section (see FIG. 11).

As shown in FIG. 11, the interior of the semiannular shaped extension250 has a curved closed type cam slot 252. And the rod portion 246 has atransverse bore 254 accommodating a radially movable plunger or camfollower 256 that is adapted to extend into the cam groove 252. Theplunger or cam follower 256 has a head 258 engaged by a cup shapedmember 260. And an expansive coil spring 262 is disposed with thecup-shaped member 260. The transverse bore is closed by a support plate264 by screws 265 and 266. The spring 262 urges the cam follower 256into the cam slot 252.

Axial movement of the piston rod 226 (rod portion 246) effects a partialrevolution of the piston rod around its axis.

So movement of the piston rod 226 within the cylinder 232 moves thesupport 220 so that the hold-off member is moved both axially of thecollet 50 and towards and away therefrom as more fully explainedhereinafter.

When brought into operation at the end of the package build, the airmotor 228 moves the member 190 (through the support 222) towards thecollet 50 (packages) along a curved path. Each of the reciprocatingstrands 26 and 28 is confined within tapered guiding space 200 and 202respectively as the member 190 moves forward towards the collet 50. FIG.12 indicates the guiding influence of the edges defining the guidingspace 200 as the member 190 moves forward; the reciprocated strand movesback and forth in ever narrowing regions of the guide space. The member190 is moved forward a sufficient distance to place each of the strandsintoits slot and to engage each of the strands with the closed end of aslot to move the strands until each is disengaged from its strandoscillator member. In the case of the oscillator members 52 anad 54, thestrands are taken from the slots in these oscillator members.

FIG. 13 illustrates the support 220 in its retracted position before itis swung to bring the member 190 into engagement with the strands. FIG.14 illustrates the support 220 in its extended position after it isswung to bring the member 190 into engagement with the strands; in itsextended position the member has moved the strands out of engagementwith the oscillator members.

Continued axial movement of the piston rod 226 moves the member 190axially of the collet 50 towards the free end thereof until each of thestrands can collect on its forming tube at the end of its package. Herethe strand is wound as scrap in preparation for package doffing.

FIG. 9 more clearly shows a preferred strand handling sequency at theend of package formation. The member 190 is shown in solid lines in apreferred retracted position during package build; each of the slots 196and 198 is situated at the mid-length region of its associated package(package forming zone). At the end of package build controls operate thecontrol valve 244. And the piston rod 226 (and support 220) moves themember 190 forward. Each of the strands 26 and 28 is guided into itsslot 196 and 198 respectively by the tapered guide spaces and isdisengaged from the slot of its associated oscillator member. Member 190is 9 moved axially of the collet 50 until each of the slots 96 and 98 isat the end region of its associated tube 42 and 44. This extendedposition of the knock-off member 190 is indicated by the dashed lineposition of the mem ber shown in FIG. 9. Each of the strands collects asscrap at the end region of its tube.

The member 190 remains in its dashed line or extended position ready tohandle strand at the beginning of the next packaging cycle.

The width of each of the mouths of the guide spaces 200 and 202 isimportant and is indicated by the dimension W in FIG. 9. W is as largeas the effective stroke length of the reciprocation motion given thestrands with respect to the member 190. In the case of a winder using asingle strand traversing motion (like winder 40), the length of W is atleast as large as the reciprocation stroke length given the strands bythe strand oscillator members 52 and 54. In the case of more complex(two or more motions) strand traversing motions, the length of W must bedetermined. In any case the guide member must bwe moved along a path sothat guide spaces include each of the reciprocating strands tofacilitate its placement into its slot. The guide member 190 might bemoved along a straight path (for example horizontal) or other morecomplex paths besides the path shown in the figures to move the strandsbetween a temporary collection zone and a package formation location.

At package start-up an operator initially winds the strands at the freeend region of the rotating collet 50 during time the collet isaccelerating to collection speed. The support 220 (member 190) is in itsextended position. The operator individually moves each of the strandsinto one of the slots 196 and 198. Each of the strands then collects atthe edge region of its forming tube. When the collet 50 has reached thedesired speed to begin package formation, the member 190 is moved fromits extended or dashed lined position as shown in FIG. 9 to its solidline or retracted position as shown in FIG. 9. As the member 190 ismoved, each of the strands is brought into its package formation regionalong the length of collet; each of the strands is engaged by itsoscillator member for reciprocation lengthwise of the package.

Each of the oscillator members shown automatically moves its strand intoits slot. As shown in FIG. the oscillator members have a shorter sidethat engages a strand and that moves the strand on the inclined surfaceof the shorter side to its slot. An opposing longer side of each of theoscillator members diverts the strand into its slot.

The member 190 is moved so that each of the strands remains in its slot(196 and 198) until it is effectively engaged for reciprocation in theslot of its oscillator member.

Packaging formation begins.

FIG. shows a control circuit for operating the winder 40.

An operator begins the winder by closing switches 280 and 282. Whenswitch 280 is closed, commercial electrical energy is supplied to thecontrol circuit through leads of L and L When switch 282 is closed,

electrical energy is simultaneously provided to the I 10 into a slot ofthe member 190, which is in its extended position.

When the timer Tl times out (chosen so that the collet 50 is at thedesired rotational speed), it closes contacts T1-2 to energize a packagebuild timer T2. And the energized timer T2 closes contacts T2-1; thesolenoid of the control valve 244 is energized to move the support 220(piston rod 226) to its retracted position. Each of the strands isbrought into its package forming zone from its temporary collectionlocation. The strands are engaged by the oscillator members. And packagebuild begins.

Package formation stops when the timer T2 times out. When this occurs,contacts T2-1 are open. The solenoid of the control valve 244 is therebyde-energized; the support 220 (piston rod 2.26) is moved to its extendedposition for temporary strand collection at the end regions of theforming tubes. Also, contacts T2-2 are closed to energize a brakingtimer T3. The energized timer T2 closes holding contacts T3-1. Theoperator closes the braking stop switch 284 to commence braking andthereby stop rotation of the collet 50. When the timer T3 times out (thecollet is at rest), contacts T3-1 and T3-2 are opened to de-energize thebraking circuit.

The operator removes the packages from the collet and thereafter cantelescope fresh tubes onto the collet 50.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprismg:

a rotatable collector upon which linear material is wound in a zone as apackage;

means for rotating the collector; and

means effective to move the [linear material between the packageformation zone along the collector and a temporary winding zone, suchmeans including a movably mounted member having a slot open at one end,the slot being oriented so that its lengthwise dimension extends in adirection transversley of the axis of rotation of the collector with theopen end thereof facing towards the collector, the member providing apair of spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitating movementof the linear material into the slot, such guide surfaces diverging fromthe open end of the slot to form a tapered guide space open at itslarger end for introduction of the linear material, the guide spacecommunicating at its smaller end with the slot, means for moving themember at the beginning of package build along a path effective to movelinear material in the slot from collection at the temporary windingzone into the package formation zone and for moving the member laterallyof the axis of rotation away from the collector to disengage the linearmaterial from the slot during package formation member at the end ofpackage formation laterally of the axis of rotation towards thecollector to engage the linear material in the slot and for moving themember along a path effective to move such material in the slot out ofthe package formation zone.

2. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprismg:

a rotatable collector upon which linear material is wound as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for engaging the linear material to reciprocate 6. Apparatus forpackaging linear material comprisit axially of the collector fordistribution on the ing:

package; and a rotatable collector upon which linear material is meanseffective to move the linear material between wound as a package;

the package collection zone on the collector and a 5 ea s for rotatingthe collector;

temporary winding zone, such means including a means for engaging thelinear material to reciprocate movably mounted member having a slot openat one end and providing spaced apart opposing guide surfaces forfacilitating movement of the linear mait axially of the collector fordistribution on the package; and

means effective to move the linear material between tehal ihte the Stet,Such guide Surfaces diverging the package collection zone on thecollector and a froth the p end the Slot to form a tapered temporarywinding zone, such means including a ghlde Space P Its larger end 9 theslot to movably mounted member having a slot open at a p e ghlde p t pat h larger e one end and providing spaced apart opposing guide forlhtroduchoh t the hheat matehal e gthde l5 surfaces for facilitatingmovement of the linear ma- Space commuhlcahhg at Smaller ehd wtth hterial into the slot, such guide surfaces diverging t means for movlhgthe member at the h from the open end of the to form a tapered guide mngpackage h along a path effective to space open at its larger end forintroduction of the move linear material in the slot from collection atlinear material Such Space being at least as Wide as h temporary wmdmg hto the a g Collec' its larger end as the stroke length of the reciproca-Zone Such t the matenal brought tion movement given to the linearmaterial during into engagement with the reciprocation means, andpackage formation, the guide Space communicat means movmg the member atthelend of h ing at its smaller end with the slot, means for movagebuildalong a path effective to bring the linear ing the member at thebeginning of package build mammal i the gulde space for movmeem mm alongapath effective to move linear material in the the i agamst the Closedend thereof to h Slich slot from collection at the temporary windingzone matenal out of erigagement wlth the reclhrocatlon into the packagecollection zone such that the linigz z ig :gifiggg: 3 Such matenal outof ear material is brought to engagement with the re- 3 Th p gciprocation means, and means for moving the m g g g which g. member atthe end of the package build along a v1 mem i g i is g i an en mg 0 patheffective to brlng the linear material into the p 4 i a aratus of claim2 in'which the means for guide space for movement into the slot againstthe g theppmember moves Such member along the closed end thereof to takesuch material out of ensame path at the beginning and ending of packagebuild gagement wlth the reclprocanon means and effecbut in reversedirections.

5. Apparatus for producing and packaging glass tive to move suchmaterial out of the package formation zone.

7. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising:

a rotatable collector upon which linear material is wound as a package;means for rotating the collector; means for engaging the linear materialto reciprocate strand comprising:

means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation intocontinuous glass filaments; 40 means for gathering the filaments into astrand; means for rotating the collector;

means for engaging the strand to reciprocate it axially of the collectorfor distribution on the package;

it axially of the collector for distribution on the package; and

g effective to move the strand between the means for effecting transferof the linear material package collection zone on the collector and afr'om Coneshoh oh the Package to a temporary temporary winding zone,such means including a dm g h aellaceht the ehd of the P Such movablymounted member having a slot open at theahs thcludlhg a movably mountedhe one end and providing spaced apart opposing guide mg a Slot P t oneehd ahd e h h Spaced surfaces for facilitating movement of the strandapart epposlhg gthde h e for faelhtatmg Y into the slot, such guidesurfaces diverging from the ment of e hhear material Into the Slot, Suchghlde Open end f the Slot to f a tapered guide Space surfaces divergingfrom the open end of the slot to open at its larger end for introductionof the strand, t e p gthde SRaee Wlth f ehtrahee p the guide spacecommunicating at its smaller end h at Its larger end for lntfodhctlonOfllrleal' fnatce with the slot, means for moving the member at theflat, the ehttaheeepehlhg belhg at least as Wlde as beginning of packagebuild along a path eff its entrance opening as the stroke length of theret move Strand i th l f ll i at h ciprocation motion given to thelinear material, the temporary winding zone to the package collectionguide Space Communicating at its Smaller end with zone such that thestrand is brought into engage- 0 the o ans for moving the member along ament with the reciprocation means, and means for path effective to bringthe linear material during its moving the member at the end of packagebuild collection on the package into the guide space for along a patheffective to bring the strand into the mo ement into the slot againstthe closed end guide space for movement into the slot against thethereof to move the linear material out of engageclosed end thereof totake the strand out of engagement with the reciprocation means, andeffective ment with the reciprocation means and effective to move thestrand out of the package formation zone.

to move the member axially of the collector to take the slotted linearmaterial out of the package formation zone.

8. Apparatus of claim in which the means for reciprocating the linearmaterial is a member, having an engaging slot for engaging linearmaterialflj 9. Apparatus for packaging linear material compris mg: t j

a rotatable collector uponwhich linear'material is wound as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for engaging the linear material to reciprocate it axially of thecollector for distribution on the package; and

means for effecting transfer of the linear material from collection onthe package to a temporary winding zone adjacent the end of the package,such means including a movably mounted support, a hold-off member on thesupport having a forward side generally facing the collector, theforward side of the member including a slot open at such side anddisposed to extend in a direction transverse to the axis of thecollector, the member providing spaced apart opposing guide surfaces forfacilitating movement of the linear material into the slot, such guidesurfaces diverging from the open end of the slot to form a tapered guidespace with an entrance opening at its larger end for introduction oflinear material, the entrance opening being at least as wide as itsentrance opening as the stroke length of the reciprocation motion givento the linear material, the guide space communicating at its smaller endwith the slot, means for moving the support during collection of thematerial on the package along a path effective to place the linearmaterial in the guide space of the member for movement into the slotagainst the cllosed end thereof to move the linear material out ofengagement with the reciprocation means and effective to move thesupport axially of the collector to take the slotted linear materialfrom the package formation zone to collect at the temporary windingzone.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 including means holding the support formovement about and along an axis extending axially of the collector.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the support includes alongitudinal support member that carries the hold-off memberand that isdisposed with its lengthwise dimension extending axially of thecollector.

12. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprismg:

side-by-side collectors upon each of which a linear bundle of filamentsis wound as a package, the collectors being mounted for rotation on acommon axis;

means for rotating the collectors;

means for engaging each of the bundles to reciprocate it axially of itscollector for distribution on its package; and

means for effecting transfer of each of the bundles from collection onits package to a temporary winding zone adjacent the end of its package,such means including a movably mounted support, a longitudinal hold-offmember on the support, the hold-off member being oriented with itslengthwise dimension extending generally parallel to the collectors andhaving a forward side generally facing the collectors, the forward sideof the member including spaced apart side-by side slots open at theforward side each disposed to extend in a direction transverse to theaxis of the collectors, the member providing foreach of the slots a pairof spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitating move ment of alinear bundle into the associated slot, each pair of guidesurfacesdiverging from the open end of its associated slot to formside-by-side tapered guide spaces each having an entrance opening at itslarger end for introduction of a bundle, the entrance opening of each ofits guide spaces being at least as wide as the stroke length of thereciprocation motion given to the linear bundle, each of the guidespaces communicating at its smaller end with its associated slot, meansfor moving the support at the end of package build to move the hold-offmember along a path effective so that each of the bundles is movedthrough its guide space of the member into its slot against the closedend thereof to disengage the bundle from the reciprocation means andeffective so that the hold-off member takes the slotted bundles out oftheir individual package formation zones to collect at the individualtemporary winding zones adjacent the ends of the packages.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which the slots extend normal to theaxis of rotation of the collectors.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which the tapered guide spaces areidentical.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which each of the pairs of spaced apartopposing guide surfaces is planar.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which each of the pairs of spaced apartopposing guide surfaces form the same oblique angle with thelongitudinal axis of the hold-off member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which each of the pairs of spaced apartopposing guide surfaces forms an oblique angle of from 30 to 45 degreeswith the longitudinal axis of the hold-off member.

18. Apparatus for producing and packaging glass strand comprising:

means for supplying streams of molten glass for attenuation intocontinuous glass filaments;

means for gathering the glass filaments into a strand;

side-by-side collectors upon each of which a glass strand is wound as apackage, the collectors being mounted for rotation on a common axis;

means for rotating the collectors;

means for engaging each of the glass strands to reciprocate it axiallyof its collector for distribution on its package; and

means for effecting transfer of each of the strands from collection onits package to an individual temporary winding zone adjacent the end ofits package, such means including a movably mounted support, alongitudinal hold-off member on the support, the hold-off member beingoriented with its lengthwise dimension extending generally parallel tothe collectors and having a forward side generally facing thecollectors, the forward side of the member including space-d apartside-by-side slots open at the forward side each disposed to extend in adirection transverse to the axis of the collectors, the member providingfor each of the slots a pair of spaced apart opposing guide surfaces forfacilitating movement of a strand into the associated slot, each pair ofguide surfaces diverging from the open end of their associated slot toform side-by-side tapered guide spaces each having an entrance openingat its larger end for introduction of a strand, the entrance opening ofeach of its guide spaces being at least as wide as the stroke length ofthe recipro- 4 16 end thereof to disengage the strand from thereciprocation means and effective so that the hold-off member takes theslotted strands out of their individual package formation zones tocollect at individual temporary winding zones adjacent the ends of thepackages.

1. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: a rotatablecollector upon which linear material is wound in a zone as a package;means for rotating the collector; and means effective to move the linearmaterial between the package formation zone along the collector and atemporary winding zone, such means including a movably mounted memberhaving a slot open at one end, the slot being oriented so that itslengthwise dimension extends in a direction transversley of the axis ofrotation of the collector with the open end thereof facing towards thecollector, the member providing a pair of spaced apart opposing guidesurfaces for facilitating movement of the linear material into the slot,such guide surfaces diverging from the open end of the slot to form atapered guide space open at its larger end for introduction of thelinear material, the guide space communicating at its smaller end withthe slot, means for moving the member at the beginning of package buildalong a path effective to move linear material in the slot fromcollection at the temporary winding zone into the package formation zoneand for moving the member laterally of the axis of rotation away fromthe collector to disengage the linear material from the slot duringpackage formation member at the end of package formation laterally ofthe axis of rotation towards the collector to engage the linear materialin the slot and for moving the member along a path effective to movesuch material in the slot out of the package formation zone. 2.Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: a rotatablecollector upon which linear material is wound as a package; means forrotating the collector; means for engaging the linear material toreciprocate it axially of the collector for distribution on the package;and means effective to move the linear material between the packagecollection zone on the collector and a temporary winding zone, suchmeans including a movably mounted member having a slot open at one endand providing spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitatingmovement of the linear material into the slot, such guide surfacesdiverging from the open end of the slot to form a tapered guide spaceopen at its larger end of the slot to form a tapered guide space open atits larger end for introduction of the linear material, the guide spacecommunicating at its smaller end with the slot, means for moving themember at the beginning of package build along a path effective to movelinear material in the slot from collection at the temporary windingzone to the package collection zone such that the linear material isbrought into engagement with the reciprocAtion means, and means formoving the member at the end of package build along a path effective tobring the linear material into the guide space for movmeent into theslot against the closed end thereof to move such material out ofengagement with the reciprocation means and effective to move suchmaterial out of the package formation zone.
 3. The apoparatus of claim 1in which the means for moving the member at the beginning and ending ofpackage build is the same means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 in whichthe means for moving the member moves such member along the same path atthe beginning and ending of package build but in reverse directions. 5.Apparatus for producing and packaging glass strand comprising: means forsupplying streams of molten glass for attenuation into continuous glassfilaments; means for gathering the filaments into a strand; means forrotating the collector; means for engaging the strand to reciprocate itaxially of the collector for distribution on the package; and meanseffective to move the strand between the package collection zone on thecollector and a temporary winding zone, such means including a movablymounted member having a slot open at one end and providing spaced apartopposing guide surfaces for facilitating movement of the strand into theslot, such guide surfaces diverging from the open end of the slot toform a tapered guide space open at its larger end for introduction ofthe strand, the guide space communicating at its smaller end with theslot, means for moving the member at the beginning of package buildalong a path effective to move strand in the slot from collection at thetemporary winding zone to the package collection zone such that thestrand is brought into engagement with the reciprocation means, andmeans for moving the member at the end of package build along a patheffective to bring the strand into the guide space for movement into theslot against the closed end thereof to take the strand out of engagementwith the reciprocation means and effective to move the strand out of thepackage formation zone.
 6. Apparatus for packaging linear materialcomprising: a rotatable collector upon which linear material is wound asa package; means for rotating the collector; means for engaging thelinear material to reciprocate it axially of the collector fordistribution on the package; and means effective to move the linearmaterial between the package collection zone on the collector and atemporary winding zone, such means including a movably mounted memberhaving a slot open at one end and providing spaced apart opposing guidesurfaces for facilitating movement of the linear material into the slot,such guide surfaces diverging from the open end of the to form a taperedguide space open at its larger end for introduction of the linearmaterial, such space being at least as wide as its larger end as thestroke length of the reciprocation movement given to the linear materialduring package formation, the guide space communicating at its smallerend with the slot, means for moving the member at the beginning ofpackage build along a path effective to move linear material in the slotfrom collection at the temporary winding zone into the packagecollection zone such that the linear material is brought to engagementwith the reciprocation means, and means for moving the member at the endof the package build along a path effective to bring the linear materialinto the guide space for movement into the slot against the closed endthereof to take such material out of engagement with the reciprocationmeans and effective to move such material out of the package formationzone.
 7. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: a rotatablecollector upon which linear material is wound as a package; means forrotating the collector; means for engaging the linear material toreciprocate it axially of the collector for distribution on the package;and MEANS for effecting transfer of the linear material from collectionon the package to a temporary windin g zone adjacent the end of thepackage, such means including a movably mounted member having a slotopen at one end and providing spaced apart opposing guide surfaces forfacilitating movement of the linear material into the slot, such guidesurfaces diverging from the open end of the slot to form a tapered guidespace with an entrance opening at its larger end for introduction oflinear material, the entrance opening being at least as wide as itsentrance opening as the stroke length of the reciprocation motion givento the linear material, the guide space communicating at its smaller endwith the slot, means for moving the member along a path effective tobring the linear material during its collection on the package into theguide space for movement into the slot against the closed end thereof tomove the linear material out of engagement with the reciprocation means,and effective to move the member axially of the collector to take theslotted linear material out of the package formation zone.
 8. Apparatusof claim 5 in which the means for reciprocating the linear material is amember having an engaging slot for engaging linear material. 9.Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: a rotatablecollector upon which linear material is wound as a package; means forrotating the collector; means for engaging the linear material toreciprocate it axially of the collector for distribution on the package;and means for effecting transfer of the linear material from collectionon the package to a temporary winding zone adjacent the end of thepackage, such means including a movably mounted support, a hold-offmember on the support having a forward side generally facing thecollector, the forward side of the member including a slot open at suchside and disposed to extend in a direction transverse to the axis of thecollector, the member providing spaced apart opposing guide surfaces forfacilitating movement of the linear material into the slot, such guidesurfaces diverging from the open end of the slot to form a tapered guidespace with an entrance opening at its larger end for introduction oflinear material, the entrance opening being at least as wide as itsentrance opening as the stroke length of the reciprocation motion givento the linear material, the guide space communicating at its smaller endwith the slot, means for moving the support during collection of thematerial on the package along a path effective to place the linearmaterial in the guide space of the member for movement into the slotagainst the cllosed end thereof to move the linear material out ofengagement with the reciprocation means and effective to move thesupport axially of the collector to take the slotted linear materialfrom the package formation zone to collect at the temporary windingzone.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 including means holding the supportfor movement about and along an axis extending axially of the collector.11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the support includes alongitudinal support member that carries the hold-off memberand that isdisposed with its lengthwise dimension extending axially of thecollector.
 12. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising:side-by-side collectors upon each of which a linear bundle of filamentsis wound as a package, the collectors being mounted for rotation on acommon axis; means for rotating the collectors; means for engaging eachof the bundles to reciprocate it axially of its collector fordistribution on its package; and means for effecting transfer of each ofthe bundles from collection on its package to a temporary winding zoneadjacent the end of its package, such means including a movably mountedsupport, a longitudinal hold-off member on the support, the hold-offmember being oriented with its lengthwise dimension extending generallyparallel to the collectors and having a forward side generally facingthe collectors, the forward side of the member including spaced apartside-by side slots open at the forward side each disposed to extend in adirection transverse to the axis of the collectors, the member providingfor each of the slots a pair of spaced apart opposing guide surfaces forfacilitating movement of a linear bundle into the associated slot, eachpair of guide surfaces diverging from the open end of its associatedslot to form side-by-side tapered guide spaces each having an entranceopening at its larger end for introduction of a bundle, the entranceopening of each of its guide spaces being at least as wide as the strokelength of the reciprocation motion given to the linear bundle, each ofthe guide spaces communicating at its smaller end with its associatedslot, means for moving the support at the end of package build to movethe hold-off member along a path effective so that each of the bundlesis moved through its guide space of the member into its slot against theclosed end thereof to disengage the bundle from the reciprocation meansand effective so that the hold-off member takes the slotted bundles outof their individual package formation zones to collect at the individualtemporary winding zones adjacent the ends of the packages.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 in which the slots extend normal to the axis ofrotation of the collectors.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which thetapered guide spaces are identical.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 inwhich each of the pairs of spaced apart opposing guide surfaces isplanar.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which each of the pairs ofspaced apart opposing guide surfaces form the same oblique angle withthe longitudinal axis of the hold-off member.
 17. The apparatus of claim16 in which each of the pairs of spaced apart opposing guide surfacesforms an oblique angle of from 30 to 45 degrees with the longitudinalaxis of the hold-off member.
 18. Apparatus for producing and packagingglass strand comprising: means for supplying streams of molten glass forattenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering theglass filaments into a strand; side-by-side collectors upon each ofwhich a glass strand is wound as a package, the collectors being mountedfor rotation on a common axis; means for rotating the collectors; meansfor engaging each of the glass strands to reciprocate it axially of itscollector for distribution on its package; and means for effectingtransfer of each of the strands from collection on its package to anindividual temporary winding zone adjacent the end of its package, suchmeans including a movably mounted support, a longitudinal hold-offmember on the support, the hold-off member being oriented with itslengthwise dimension extending generally parallel to the collectors andhaving a forward side generally facing the collectors, the forward sideof the member including spaced apart side-by-side slots open at theforward side each disposed to extend in a direction transverse to theaxis of the collectors, the member providing for each of the slots apair of spaced apart opposing guide surfaces for facilitating movementof a strand into the associated slot, each pair of guide surfacesdiverging from the open end of their associated slot to formside-by-side tapered guide spaces each having an entrance opening at itslarger end for introduction of a strand, the entrance opening of each ofits guide spaces being at least as wide as the stroke length of thereciprocation motion given to the strands, each of the guide spacescommunicating at its smaller end with its associated slot, means formoving the support at the end of package build to move the hold-offmember along a path effective so that each of the strands is movedthrough one of the guide spaces of the member into one of the slotsagainst the closed end thereof to disengage the strand from thereciprocation means and effective So that the hold-off member takes theslotted strands out of their individual package formation zones tocollect at individual temporary winding zones adjacent the ends of thepackages.